Panasonic Corporation announced today that it will boost production capacity of solar cells and modules for its solar panels HIT™ at its two domestic plants. The company will invest 9.5 billion yen to expand production lines at the Shimane Factory, which produces solar cells, and at the Shiga Factory, a module production site. The expansion will add a combined production capacity of 150MW a year, lifting Panasonic's total solar module production capacity of HIT™ to more than 1GW by March 2016, including that of manufacturing facilities in Kedah, Malaysia, and Nishikinohama, Osaka, in addition to the two domestic factories.
Adding production capacity of its solar modules HIT™ will help Panasonic meet growing demand in the global solar market. In its home market, the company aims to expand the penetration of its Smart Home Energy Management Systems (SMARTHEMS™). The system integrates Panasonic's solar generation system with its EcoCute heat-pump hot water supply systems, power storage batteries, energy-saving appliances and other products to offer a rich and comfortable lifestyle by bringing together strengths of Panasonic group companies.
